Christine Roche obituary

Wednesday 16 October 2013 12.14 EDT
First published on Wednesday 16 October 2013 12.14 EDT

My colleague Christine Roche, who has died of cancer aged 61, was a highly respected and influential headteacher at the former Thorn Park school for the deaf in Bradford, where she gained the loyalty and affection of generations of pupils, staff and parents. Her kindness and natural empathy meant that children and adults alike invariably turned to her for wise advice.

Christine gave more than 35 years' service to the school, as special needs teacher, deputy head and then, from 2003 until 2010, as headteacher. In the 1980s, at a time when sign language did not have the respect and recognition it has today, she successfully introduced it into the school. More recently, she oversaw the move of the deaf provision from the school to two bases in mainstream schools, Swain House primary and Hanson secondary academy. The Additionally Resourced Centres (ARCs) at the two schools are modern, purpose-built settings that aim to continue the good work of Thorn Park school and Christine's marvellous contribution.

Christine was born in Derby, the eldest of three children of George and Betty Gill, and went to Mickleover junior school, then John Port grammar in Etwall. Her father, a Black Arrows pilot, had been killed when Christine was six, and after her mother remarried the family moved to Shropshire. Christine went to Shrewsbury grammar and on to Exeter University to study psychology. She first met deaf children while working on a psychology project at the Royal school for the deaf in Exeter.

She qualified as a teacher of the deaf at Manchester University and later took a master's degree at Sheffield University. Initially she worked at Heathlands school for the deaf in St Albans, Hertfordshire, where she met her future husband, Tim Roche. They married in 1983 and moved to Yorkshire, where Christine joined Thorn Park school.

Over the years, Christine suffered from recurrent ill-health and in 2001 was diagnosed with breast cancer, which returned in late 2010. Illness prevented her from taking up the role as head of the Deaf ARC at Hanson academy. Nevertheless, Christine was always cheerful and refused to complain. She enjoyed socialising, was a keen cook and hostess, and loved going on outings with friends and family – to the pub, the cinema and the theatre.

Christine and Tim were divorced in 1988. Christine is survived by a son, Tim, and daughter, Hannah.